Crosstown Cooperation

The intense and often-heated Crosstown Shootout, which has drawn the nation’s attention for its fierceness and upsets, has taken on a more sportsmanlike – albeit still intense – air.

The game has been rebranded as the Skyline Chili Crosstown Classic, relocated to the more neutral U.S. Bank Arena in downtown Cincinnati, refashioned to be a benefit for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and refreshed to include additional events with students from the two schools.

In October, a collaborative team of students from each school participated in the Bridges Walk for a Just Community, an annual 5K event celebrating the rich ethnic and cultural heritage of the Cincinnati region. That was followed in November by members of the basketball teams from both universities participating in a special day at the Freedom Center that included displays about community engagement, collaboration and service at each school. The event tripled the Freedom Center’s average attendance for the day.